System for supporting the human body, or a human body segment, provided with an improved cushioning arrangement

Abstract

A support system for the human body, or a human body segment, is provided. The system comprises a covering lining in which a plurality of pockets is defined in which there are inserted one or more filling elements forming together a cushioning arrangement of the support system. Filling elements with different physical properties, for example different stiffnesses, are inserted in the different pockets of the covering lining. The pockets may be independent of one another and removably connected to one another, so that they can be combined with one another in the way that best adapts to the specific morphology of a single user. The support system can be made, for example, in the form a cushion, a seat, a backrest, a mattress or with any other shape that may be desired.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A support system for supporting the human body or a human body segment, the support system comprising:
 a covering lining, the covering lining comprising a first outer wall and a second outer wall, opposite to the first outer wall, 
 wherein the first and second outer walls define therebetween an inner space of the covering lining, 
 wherein the inner space of the covering lining is divided into a plurality of pockets, which are mutually separated, 
 wherein one or more filling elements are inserted inside each of the pockets, 
 wherein filling elements having different physical properties are received in different pockets of the inner space of the covering lining of the support system, 
 wherein the covering lining comprises one or more inner intermediate walls, which are arranged between the first outer wall and the second outer wall of the covering lining, wherein, due to provision of the one or more inner intermediate walls, the pockets have a multilayer structure comprising several layers, 
 wherein filling elements having different physical properties are received in different layers of each of the pockets of the inner space of the covering lining of the support system, 
 wherein the pockets are independent of one another and removably connected to one another, and 
 wherein the pockets are provided, along their perimeter or part thereof, with interconnecting means adapted to cooperate with the interconnecting means of the adjacent pockets in order to establish a removable connection between the adjacent pockets. 
 
     
     
       2. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the multilayer structure of the pockets comprises at least one filling element with higher stiffness, arranged in a layer adjacent to a side of the covering lining which, in use, is farthest from a user's body, and at least one filling element with lower stiffness, arranged in a layer adjacent to a side of said covering lining which, in use, is closest to the user's body. 
     
     
       3. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the filling elements comprise small pieces of polymer foams. 
     
     
       4. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pockets of the inner space of the covering lining are provided with openable closure means. 
     
     
       5. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering lining is coupled, at one of the first or second outer walls, to a universal support. 
     
     
       6. The support system according to  claim 5 , wherein the covering lining is coupled to the universal support by means of hook-and-loop elements. 
     
     
       7. The support system according to  claim 4 , wherein the pockets of the inner space of the covering lining are provided with zippers.